How to Grow Peas in Pots
A cool-season treat that climbs up out of a trough, peas are easy and rewarding in pots.
Peas are a lovely cool-season container crop. They grow fast from seed, climb up out of a trough to save floor space, and there is nothing like sweet peas eaten straight from the pod. A trough of peas on a cool-weather balcony is an easy, generous grow.
Pot and support
Use a pot or trough at least 20 to 30 cm deep with drainage, a long trough is ideal for a row. Most peas climb, so set up a trellis, mesh or twiggy sticks at sowing time for the tendrils to grab. Dwarf and bush pea varieties stay shorter and need only light support, which suits the smallest spaces.
When and how to sow
Peas are a cool-season crop, sow them in the cooler months for your region, as they dislike summer heat and will not set pods in it. Sow seed straight into the pot about 3 to 4 cm deep and a few centimetres apart, peas resent transplanting. Keep the mix moist until they germinate.
Care
Give peas a sunny position and keep the mix evenly moist, especially once flowering and podding. Peas fix their own nitrogen, so they need little feeding, a light feed is plenty and too much nitrogen gives leaves over pods. Guide the young tendrils onto the support as they reach for it.
Harvest
Pick peas young and tender, and pick often, regular harvesting keeps the plant producing, while leaving pods to mature signals it to stop. Snow peas are best picked flat before the peas swell, sugar snaps when plump but still crisp, and shelling peas when the pods are full but bright green.
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Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
Can you grow peas in pots?
Yes, peas are a great container crop. They grow quickly from seed, climb up a support to save space, and a long trough suits a productive row. Dwarf varieties need only light support for the smallest spaces.
What size pot do peas need?
A pot or trough at least 20 to 30 cm deep with good drainage, and a long trough is ideal for a row. Most peas also need a trellis, mesh or twiggy support for their climbing tendrils.
When should I sow peas in containers?
In the cooler months for your region. Peas are a cool-season crop that dislikes heat and will not set pods in a hot summer, so time them for the cool part of the year. Sow seed direct, as peas resent transplanting.
Do peas need a lot of feeding?
No. Peas fix their own nitrogen, so they need little feeding, and too much nitrogen produces leaves at the expense of pods. A light feed and even moisture, especially during flowering and podding, is all they need.
How do I harvest peas for the longest crop?
Pick young and tender and pick often, because regular harvesting keeps the plant producing while leaving pods to mature tells it to stop. Snow peas go flat, sugar snaps plump and crisp, shelling peas full but still bright green.
See also: How to Grow Peas and Beans in Pots